New Forms

Last updated

New Forms
New Forms album cover.png
Studio album by
Released23 June 1997 (1997-06-23)
Genre Drum and bass
Length139:54
Label
Producer
Roni Size & Reprazent chronology
New Forms
(1997)
In the Mode
(2000)
Singles from New Forms
  1. "Share the Fall"
    Released: 19 May 1997
  2. "Heroes"
    Released: 11 September 1997
  3. "Brown Paper Bag"
    Released: 27 October 1997
  4. "Watching Windows"
    Released: 28 April 1998

New Forms is the debut studio album by British drum and bass group Roni Size & Reprazent. It was released on 23 June 1997 through Talkin' Loud, and later re-released by Mercury Records and Universal Music Group. The album was released to critical and commercial success, winning the 1997 Mercury Prize, certifying platinum in the UK, and often being cited as their magnum opus. [1]

Contents

New Forms was promoted by the release of its four singles, "Share the Fall", "Heroes", "Brown Paper Bag" and "Watching Windows", all of which entered the UK singles chart and featured vocals from Onallee. The album features production credits from Roni Size, Krust, DJ Die and Suv.

Release

New Forms was preceded by a 1996 EP named Reasons for Sharing containing "Share the Fall", "Down", "Trust Me", and "Sounds Fresh", the former three of which were featured on the album. [2] On 19 May 1997, the album's lead single was released, "Share the Fall", which reached number 37 in the UK singles chart in June that year. The album was released on 23 June 1997 and charted on the UK Albums Chart for 46 weeks, peaking at number 8. Following the album, three singles were released "Heroes", "Brown Paper Bag" and "Watching Windows", all charting at positions 31, 20 and 28 respectively, with "Brown Paper Bag" remaining the group's highest-charting single. [3]

The album was released in various formats, all with differing track lists. The original album release was a two disc CD, though single disc editions only containing disc one were later released. [4] The cassette version comprised the first disc of the CD. [5] Two vinyl versions were released, a 5x and 4x LP. Of the two vinyl versions, the most common pressing is the 4LP version comprising most of the first CD; the 5×LP set includes tracks from the second CD, replacing "Intro" with "Heroes" and "Digital", which are appended to the end. In the US, only the 2CD version was released, which contained the bonus track "Electricks".

A remake of the original album, New Forms², was released in April 2008. Roni Size has described it as having a "new coat of armour added to the original tracks". [6] The album contains four new songs: "Heart to Heart", "Less is More", "Don't Hold Back" and "Encore", while omitting several of the songs from the original album.

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [7]
Entertainment Weekly A [8]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
Los Angeles Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [10]
Muzik 10/10 [11]
NME 9/10 [12]
Pitchfork 7.7/10 [13]
Q Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [14]
Rolling Stone Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [15]
Spin 8/10 [16]

New Forms was released to favourable reviews. AllMusic described the album as "the major statement on drum'n'bass", rating it five stars out of five, [7] while in 2010 BBC Music noted that it "carved a mainstream niche for drum and bass like no album before it". [17] Entertainment Weekly noted the album's "caffeinated drum beat and blissful bass reverb". [8] Pitchfork 's Ryan Schreiber was less generous, commenting that the album "doesn't really get decent until the second half of disc one". [13]

Track listing

The original CD release contains both discs, though a single disc version containing only disc 1 was additionally released in the UK.

Disc 1 / Cassette
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Railing"2:05
2."Brown Paper Bag"Williams9:03
3."New Forms" (featuring Bahamadia)
7:45
4."Let's Get It On"Williams6:57
5."Digital"
9:05
6."Matter of Fact"Williams4:05
7."Mad Cat"Williams4:56
8."Heroes"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
6:35
9."Share the Fall" (Full Vocal Mix)
6:13
10."Watching Windows"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
5:33
11."Beatbox"
  • Williams
  • Southey
1:09
12."Morse Code"Williams6:58
13."Destination"
8:12
Disc 2
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Intro"Williams0:54
2."Hi-Potent"Williams6:53
3."Trust Me"Williams6:26
4."Change My Life"Williams8:27
5."Share the Fall"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
  • Kausman
  • Thompson
6:26
6."Down"
  • Williams
  • Kausman
6:51
7."Jazz"
  • Williams
  • Southey
6:04
8."Hot Stuff"
  • Williams
  • Thompson
6:32
9."Ballet Dance"
  • Williams
  • Kausman
6:41
Total length:139:54
US disc 2 bonus track
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
10."Electricks"Williams6:17
4x vinyl
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Brown Paper Bag"Williams9:03
2."New Forms" (featuring Bahamadia)
  • Williams
  • Reed
  • Southey
7:45
3."Railing"
  • Williams
  • Smith
2:05
4."Let's Get It On"Williams6:57
5."Share the Fall" (Full Vocal Mix)
  • Williams
  • Onallee
  • Kausman
  • Thompson
6:13
6."Matter of Fact"Williams4:05
7."Mad Cat"Williams4:56
8."Morse Code"Williams6:58
9."Beatbox"
  • Williams
  • Southey
1:09
10."Destination"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
  • Watt
  • Thorn
8:12
5× vinyl
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Hi-Potent"Williams6:53
2."Trust Me"Williams6:26
3."Change My Life"Williams8:27
4."Share the Fall"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
  • Kausman
  • Thompson
6:26
5."Down"
  • Williams
  • Kausman
6:51
6."Jazz"
  • Williams
  • Southey
6:04
7."Hot Stuff"
  • Williams
  • Thompson
6:32
8."Ballet Dance"
  • Williams
  • Kausman
6:41
9."Heroes" (Album Version)
  • Williams
  • Onallee
6:35
10."Digital"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
9:05
New Forms²
No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Railings"
  • Williams
  • Smith
2:05
2."Brown Paper Bag"Williams3:46
3."New Forms"
  • Williams
  • Reed
  • Suv
4:47
4."Let's Get It On"Williams1:41
5."Trust Me"Williams5:03
6."Digital"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
6:35
7."Matter of Fact"Williams3:57
8."Heroes"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
4:14
9."Share the Fall" (Full Vocal Mix)
  • Williams
  • Onallee
  • Kausman
  • Thompson
6:09
10."Heart to Heart"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
4:51
11."Less Is More"
  • Williams
  • Southey
6:15
12."Down"
  • Williams
  • Kausman
5:12
13."Hi-Potent"Williams5:08
14."Don't Hold Back"
  • Williams
  • Smith
2:57
15."Beatbox"
  • Williams
  • Southey
1:09
16."Encore"Williams4:31
17."Destination"
  • Williams
  • Onallee
  • Watt
  • Thorn
3:51

Personnel

Adapted from the liner notes. [18]

Accolades

Accolades for New Forms
YearOrganisationAwardResultRef.
1997 Mercury Prize Mercury Album of the YearWon.
[19]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for New Forms
RegionCertification Certified units/sales
United Kingdom (BPI) [24] Platinum300,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dynamite MC</span> English rapper and MC

Dynamite MC is an English rapper and MC. He originally gained prominence in jungle/drum and bass, working with Roni Size & Reprazent, but has also released hip hop material.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Krust</span> English drum and bass producer and DJ

Kirk Thompson, better known by his stage name Krust, is an English drum and bass producer, DJ and co-owner of the Full Cycle record label. Beyond his roles in the music industry, Thompson is also responsible for two businesses: creative consultancy Disruptive Patterns and Amma Life, a CBD oil company he co-owns with Sophia Ali

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gilles Peterson</span> French-born British broadcaster and DJ

Gilles Jérôme Moehrle MBE, better known as Gilles Peterson, is a French broadcaster, DJ, and record label owner. He founded the influential labels Acid Jazz and Talkin' Loud, and started his current label Brownswood Recordings in 2006. He was awarded an honorary MBE in 2004, the AIM Award for Indie Champion and the Mixmag Award for Outstanding Contribution To Dance Music in 2013, the PRS for Music Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music Radio in 2014, and The A&R Award from the Music Producers Guild in 2019.

Daniel Robert Kausman, better known by his stage name DJ Die, is an English DJ and music producer. He was a founder of drum and bass label Full Cycle Recordings and a member of Roni Size & Reprazent and Breakbeat Era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roni Size & Reprazent</span> British drum and bass group

Roni Size & Reprazent are a British drum and bass group fronted by Roni Size. Their debut album New Forms won the Mercury Music Prize in 1997. Their follow-up album In the Mode featured artists including Rahzel, Zack de la Rocha of Rage Against the Machine and Method Man.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">How Long's a Tear Take to Dry?</span> 1999 single by the Beautiful South

"How Long's a Tear Take to Dry?" is a single by British pop rock group the Beautiful South from their sixth album, Quench (1998). It was written by Paul Heaton and Dave Rotheray. The lyrics, which take the form of a conversation between two reconciling lovers, are noted for a reference to the TARDIS from Doctor Who. According to the book Last Orders at the Liars Bar: the Official Story of the Beautiful South, "How Long's a Tear Take to Dry?" was originally to be called "She Bangs the Buns" due to its chord structure reminiscent of Manchester's the Stone Roses. The song reached number 12 on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band's 12th and final top-20 hit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perfect 10 (song)</span> 1998 single by the Beautiful South

"Perfect 10" is a song by English pop rock band the Beautiful South, released on 21 September 1998 as the first single from their sixth studio album, Quench (1998). It debuted at number two on the UK Singles Chart, selling 89,000 copies during its first week of release, and is the band's last UK top-10 single to date. It received a platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry in 2021 for sales and streams exceeding 600,000 units.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roni Size</span> British DJ and music producer

Ryan Owen Granville Williams, better known by his stage name Roni Size, is an English DJ and record producer. He came to prominence in 1997 as the founder and frontman of Roni Size & Reprazent, a drum and bass collective. That year they won the Mercury Prize for their debut studio album New Forms.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)</span> 1997 single by Shania Twain

"Don't Be Stupid (You Know I Love You)" is a song by Canadian country music singer Shania Twain. It was released in November 1997 as the second single from Twain's album Come On Over but was the seventh to be released to international markets. The song was written by Robert John "Mutt" Lange and Shania Twain. The single peaked at number six on the US Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart, becoming Twain's sixth top-10 hit on that chart. A dance-pop remix of the song began receiving airplay in early 2000, prompting its release as a single in Australia and many European countries, including the United Kingdom where it peaked at No. 5.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Say What You Want</span> 1997 single by Texas

"Say What You Want" is a song by Scottish rock band Texas, written by band members Johnny McElhone and Sharleen Spiteri. It was the first single to be released from the group's fourth studio album, White on Blonde (1997), and released via the bands record label Mercury Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Eyed Boy</span> 1997 single by Texas

"Black Eyed Boy" is the third single from Scottish rock band Texas's fourth studio album, White on Blonde (1997). The song was released on 28 July 1997 and reached number five on the UK Singles Chart. Elsewhere, the song reached the top 50 in Australia, Belgium, France, Ireland, Israel and Sweden.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fly Life</span> 1996 single by Basement Jaxx

"Fly Life" is a song by English electronic dance music duo Basement Jaxx from their fourth extended play, EP3, released in 1996. The track was largely based on the 1996 single "Live Your Life with Me", which they produced for vocalist Corrina Joseph, their collaborator since 1995 in order to make "proper songs".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talkin' Loud</span> Record label started by Gilles Peterson at Phonogram in 1990

Talkin' Loud was a record label, originally founded by Gilles Peterson in 1990 after he left Acid Jazz Records. The label name is based on Peterson's Dingwalls club night "Talkin' Loud And Sayin' Something", itself a reference to James Brown and Bobby Byrd's "Talkin' Loud and Sayin' Nothing". Norman Jay was its A&R. The label is owned by Phonogram.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sweet Surrender (Sarah McLachlan song)</span> 1997 single by Sarah McLachlan

"Sweet Surrender" is a song by Canadian singer Sarah McLachlan. It was released in 1997 as the second single from her fourth studio album, Surfacing (1997). The song peaked at number two in Canada and number 28 on the US Billboard Hot 100. In 2001, a maxi-single with remixes by DJ Tiësto was released peaking at number six on the US Hot Dance Club Play chart, three years after its original release.

<i>Colours</i> (Adam F album) 1997 studio album by Adam F

Colours is the debut studio album by English drum and bass producer Adam F. It was released on 3 November 1997 through Positiva Records. The album features collaborations with Tracey Thorn, Grooverider, MC Conrad and Ronny Jordan. The first single from the album, "Circles", was initially released in 1995, but did not chart until its re-release in 1997, when it entered the UK Singles Chart and peaked at number 20. Other singles from the album included "Metropolis" / "Mother Earth", "F-Jam", and "Music In My Mind". Upon release, the album reached number 47 on the UK Albums Chart.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clive Deamer</span> English drummer (born 1961)

Clive Deamer is an English drummer and percussionist who has been the drummer for the jazz band Get the Blessing since 2000. He has worked with acts including Radiohead, Portishead, Jeff Beck, Alison Moyet, Siouxsie Sioux, Roni Size, Hawkwind, Robert Plant and Reprazent.

<i>In the Mode</i> 2000 studio album by Roni Size & Reprazent

In the Mode is the second studio album by English drum and bass group Roni Size & Reprazent, released on 9 October 2000 on the Talkin' Loud label via Mercury Records. The follow-up to the group's 1997 Mercury Music Prize-winning album New Forms, In the Mode featured guest appearances from Method Man, Rahzel and Rage Against the Machine frontman Zack de la Rocha.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Crazy Love (MJ Cole song)</span> 2000 single by M. J. Cole

"Crazy Love" is a song by UK garage musician MJ Cole, released on 24 April 2000 as the second single from his debut album Sincere. Elisabeth Troy Antwi provides vocals on the song. The song peaked at No. 10 on the UK Singles Chart, No. 1 on the UK Dance Singles Chart, and No. 17 in Iceland. In the United States, exactly one year after its UK release, the song was serviced to rhythmic radio and reached No. 22 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart.

The following is a comprehensive discography of Roni Size & Reprazent, a British drum and bass group. The group released an EP in 1996. They released their debut studio album, New Forms, in 1997 with four singles, followed by In the Mode in 2000 with three singles. A 1997 remix album was also released. A 2008 re-release of their debut album, New Forms², was released with one single. Recently, in 2015, they released a live album.

References

  1. "RA: Roni Size biography". Resident Advisor . Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  2. Talkin' Loud (1996). Reasons for Sharing (Liner notes). Roni Size & Reprazent. Talkin' Loud.
  3. 1 2 "Roni Size Reprazent – Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company . Retrieved 5 June 2019.
  4. Talkin' Loud (1997). New Forms (Single Disc) (Liner notes). Roni Size & Reprazent. Talkin' Loud. 534 934-2
  5. Talkin' Loud (1997). New Forms (Cassette) (Liner notes). Roni Size & Reprazent. Talkin' Loud. 534 933-4
  6. "Roni Size/Reprazent: New Forms 2 release + "Don't Hold Back" single". Band Weblogs. 25 March 2008. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012. Retrieved 3 March 2012.
  7. 1 2 Bush, John. "New Forms – Roni Size / Roni Size & Reprazent". AllMusic . Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  8. 1 2 Sakharow, Anya (31 October 1997). "New Forms". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  9. Bennun, David (4 July 1997). "Roni Size: New Forms (Talkin' Loud)". The Guardian .
  10. Hochman, Steve (23 November 1997). "Roni Size/Reprazent, 'New Forms,' Talkin' Loud/Mercury". Los Angeles Times . Archived from the original on 10 August 2016. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  11. Newsome, Rachel (July 1997). "Reprazent Featuring Roni Size: New Forms (Talkin' Loud)". Muzik . No. 26. p. 119.
  12. Newsome, Rachel. "Roni Size/Reprazent – New Forms". NME . Archived from the original on 17 August 2000. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  13. 1 2 Schreiber, Ryan (November 1997). "Roni Size & Reprazent: New Forms". Pitchfork. Archived from the original on 17 November 2005. Retrieved 18 June 2013.
  14. Howe, Rupert (December 2017). "Roni Size/Reprazent: New Forms". Q . No. 379. p. 115.
  15. Fricke, David (16 December 1997). "Roni Size and Reprazent: New Forms". Rolling Stone . Archived from the original on 5 June 2008. Retrieved 14 June 2016.
  16. Reynolds, Simon (December 1997). "RoniSize/Reprazent: New Forms". Spin. Vol. 13, no. 9. p. 153. ISSN   0886-3032 . Retrieved 6 June 2013.
  17. Diver, Mike (25 October 2010). "BBC – Music – Review of Roni Size & Reprazent – New Forms". BBC Music . Retrieved 22 May 2013.
  18. Talkin' Loud (1997). New Forms (Liner notes). Roni Size & Reprazent. Talkin' Loud.
  19. "It is Size that counts as Roni wins Mercury prize" . The Independent . 28 August 1997. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  20. "Roni Size – Reprazent – dutchcarts.nl". MegaCharts . Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  21. "Charts.org.nz – Roni Size / Reprazent". Recorded Music NZ . Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  22. "Roni Size/Reprazent Chart History". Billboard charts . Archived from the original on 5 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  23. "End of Year Album Chart Top 100 – 1997". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 20 August 2020.
  24. "British album certifications – Roni Size/Reprazent – New Forms". British Phonographic Industry.